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Marbury hopes to finish off career back in NBA

In this March 21, 2010, file photo, Stephon Marbury of China North team drives the ball down the court against Liu Wei of China South team, during the China Basketball Association's all-star game in Beijing. Marbury hopes to finish off his basketball career back in the NBA. | AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File

NEW YORK — Stephon Marbury hopes to finish off his basketball career back in the NBA.

The 40-year old guard is playing in the Chinese Basketball Association this season for the Beijing Fly Dragons and when the league ends in February or March he wants to join an NBA franchise.

"I've spoken to a team," Marbury told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Malaysia on Wednesday night (Thursday Manila time). "It's still premature right now, but I'm open to coming back and trying to play that veteran leadership role. ... For myself it's a perfect ending being able to mend ties. It will be a team that I will be able to help and I'm looking forward to it. It's a great opportunity to be at my age to be able to hoop. I'm thankful for that. A lot of people can't walk at my age."

Marbury, who first mentioned his interest in playing in the NBA again on Instagram, didn't want to disclose which team he had discussions with.

"The opportunity, it's a great opportunity because I was anticipating retiring in Beijing with the Ducks," he said. "It's the perfect opportunity to go back. I want to do this for the people who had been supporting me for so many years."

Marbury had a 13-year NBA career playing for the Timberwolves, Nets, Suns, Knicks and Celtics. The No. 4 pick in the 1996 draft, Marbury hasn't played in an NBA game since the 2008-09 season with the Boston Celtics. He averaged 19.3 points and 7.6 assists during his NBA career.

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He's spent the last nine years playing in China and helped the Beijing Ducks win three championships. Marbury met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in China last October and has had positive meetings in New York with the league and with the Knicks.

"I wanted to make sure things are right before I made that decision to go back to the NBA. The timing is right and the exit strategy is a good one," he said.

Marbury, a New York native, had a rough five-year stint with the Knicks that included clashes with coaches and teammates. It ended with the two sides agreeing to a buyout in 2009 after he was benched for his final season in New York.

"For me it's vital to continue to share my experiences and allow my experiences to help the younger generation," Marbury said. "I've been through a lot of different things, experienced a lot of different things. Those experiences would be a great teacher for some of the younger kids. It's my final year as a basketball player and it's important to me to try and make that right. New York is home no matter what."

Even if he can't get back in the NBA, Marbury plans to stay near the game. He wants to coach the Chinese national team, and told the AP last month while speaking at NYU that Yao Ming has told him he'll be considered if he learns Chinese. Marbury plans to take classes during the upcoming Chinese league season. He may also try his hand in the Big3 3-on-3 league.

One thing's for sure. Whether he gets a shot again in the NBA or not, Marbury plans on retiring from playing basketball at the end of the year.

"It's time to pass on the shoes to my (12-year-old) son," Marbury said.